Tree Mob™! Winter Moth

April 1, 2016

Tree Mob™! Winter Moth

Winter moths (Operophtera brumata) are now a scourge in eastern Massachusetts and beyond. You may have observed them crowding your lighted entryway on November and December nights. But before they become moths, the winter moth caterpillars wreak havoc as they eat their way through buds and leaves of trees and shrubs in springtime. Some of their favorite food sources are maples, oaks, apples, birches, and blueberries, which they can significantly defoliate. Arboretum horticulturist Rachel Brinkman is studying the relationship between winter moth larval hatch date and the amount of defoliation caused. You may have seen evidence of her experiments…groupings of mesh bags over the ends of branches, primarily in the Peters Hill section of the Arboretum. Join us on Wednesday, April 6 at 4:00pm on Peters Hill at Acc. # 213-2001*A, Malus orientalis, to learn about Rachel’s research and how it may inform our treatment and preservation of the living collections.

Parking: Park along Bussey Street and enter through the Peters Hill Gate and walk uphill to the left.NOTE: DO NOT PARK WITH TIRES ON SIDEWALK OR YOU MAY RECEIVE A TICKET.

Public Transportation: Take the T to Forest Hills. Enter the Arboretum through the Washington Street Gate. Follow Blackwell Footpath and cross South Street to enter the Arboretum at the South Street Gate. Walk to Hemlock Hill Road and turn left. Follow to the end and cross to Peters Hill. Walk uphill to the left. Or research bus routes to Centre and Walter Streets to get to Bussey Street.
See map for locations of entrance gates.